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Outdoors among pine trees with snow patches, a seated man in white and gold-bordered robes sits with palms pressed together before a brick fire pit (homa/yagna) lined with golden flowers, where a small fire burns on kindling. Above him stands a large ceremonial parasol with red and gold fringe and a canopy of bird-patterned panels. Around him, attendants in white dhotis and kurtas hold ornate parasols, an attendant in a white sari kneels beside a plate of flowers, and a bronze lamp and kalasha sit nearby. A figure in a white robe with a rudraksha-style necklace stands with hands joined, and a figure in dark jacket holds a parasol pole. Offerings such as bananas, dried sticks, coconut and small bottles lie on the ground, and a garlanded red-draped object is at the right edge.

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A homa fire ritual at an outdoor camp setting with snow and pine trees behind. A long-haired figure in a cream and gold-bordered white robe sits cross-legged with palms pressed together in prayer before a brick fire pit holding stacked wood and a small flame. A woman in a white and gold-bordered shawl kneels at left holding a plate of flowers and offerings. Two standing men in white dhotis or kurtas and dark jackets hold large ornate red, orange and gold parasols with floral medallions. Brass oil lamps, a brass pot and a bell rest on a table near the fire, and a red and orange garland hangs at right. Other people in white and brown clothing stand in the background. Several visible people; the sitting figure has distinctive long swept-back hair, ceremonial dress and a presiding role, so the in-person identification is a probable candidate.2006-04-01Outdoor ritual in a wooded camp setting with snow patches. A woman in white garments with gold borders sits with palms pressed together in prayer behind a brick fire pit (homa kunda) holding wood and flowers. A kneeling woman in white and gold-bordered cream dress offers a plate of flowers and rice beside the pit. Several people stand behind holding ornate decorated umbrellas with orange, red and white fabric and floral patterns, and brass oil lamps and kalashas are placed around the platform. Standing attendants in white and dark jackets watch, one man wearing a rudraksha-style mala. Coconuts, bananas and bowls of offerings sit on the ground in front.2006-04-01A photograph of an outdoor homa at a wooded camp with snow on the ground. A long-haired man in a cream and gold-bordered white garment sits on a wooden seat behind a brick fire pit with burning embers, hands pressed together in prayer. A woman in a cream shawl kneels at the left beside offerings of flowers, fruit, a coconut and bundled sticks. Behind them, standing attendants in white clothing and dark jackets hold red, gold and orange umbrellas and a tall brass lamp stand. A small conical sacred stone with a red cloth and garlands sits at the right, and a flag hangs at the upper right.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual in snowy woodland. A long-haired man in cream and white robes sits on a raised seat at the centre of a brick homa fire pit lined with yellow and orange flowers, hands extended palms-down over the flames, eyes closed. Two ceremonial umbrellas with red, orange and gold fabric and embroidered bird motifs stand above him, held by men and a woman in white clothing. A woman in white kneels at left holding a plate of offerings, and a man in dark jacket crouches beside her. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style vessel, coconut, wooden kindling and small bowls surround the pit. Snow lies on the ground behind the wooden structures.2006-04-01An outdoor homa at a wooded camp. A long-haired man in cream and gold-bordered white robes sits on a low wooden seat with his palms cupped over a small brick fire pit where flames burn; a woman in a cream shawl kneels beside him at the fire. Around them stand attendants in white kurtas, a dark jacket and a brown jacket; a woman in a light blue jacket and a woman in a blue head covering hold large decorated umbrellas with red and yellow panels showing white doves. Brass lamps, a brass kalasha and a brass bell sit on a white-draped table, with marigold flower garlands and fruit offerings on banana leaves and trays in front. Patches of snow lie on the ground behind.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual at a wooded camp with snow patches. A long-haired man in a cream and gold silk dhoti and shawl sits on a low seat, holding a small brass lamp with a flame over a square brick fire pit lined with yellow-marigold garlands and filled with wood sticks. Around him, several people in white garments stand and kneel: a man in white with a gold-bordered wrap holds a tall ornate umbrella, another man in black jacket and white dhoti holds a second umbrella, and a man in white with a black shawl and pendant stands nearby. A woman in cream sari kneels at left arranging offerings on a tray of coconut, flowers, grains and wood. Brass lamps and vessels stand around. Red and orange ceremonial umbrellas with fringe and a rope of colourful flowers appear at right. A fire ritual.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual in a snowy wooded campsite. A long-haired man in a cream and gold dhoti-style garment with gold trim sits cross-legged at a brick-lined fire pit, pouring a liquid from a small metal vessel into the flames of a homa. Beside him a woman in white sits on the ground with ritual items. Several people in white kurta-pajama and dark jackets stand behind, one holding a tall brass lamp. Behind them, an ornate red and yellow ceremonial umbrella with bird motifs shades the scene. Brass lamps, kalasha-style vessels, plates of fruit and wood, and a garlanded seat with a red cloth are arranged around the fire. Snow lies on the ground and cabins are visible in the background.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual at a snowy camp: a man with long dark hair and a cream silk kurta with white dhoti kneels at a brick fire pit lined with yellow-and-pink flowers, pouring from a small brass vessel onto a small flame. A woman in cream sari with a white shawl kneels beside him, tending offerings on a metal plate with coconut, dried sticks, fruit, oil bottles and a small pot. Behind them several men in white kurtas stand with brass lamps and ceremonial umbrellas with red and orange designs. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-like brass pot and flower garlands sit on a white-draped table at right. Snow lies on the wooden steps behind.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual at a camp setting with pine trees behind. A central fire pit made of red brick with a square hearth holds burning wood and a flame, while a man with long dark hair and a cream silk kurta pours from a ladle into the fire. Beside him a woman in a white sari with gold border sits and tends offerings on trays holding wood, flowers and small vessels. Several people in white kurtas and dhotis stand around, one holding a tall brass lamp stand and another a long pole with an orange and red canopy overhead. On the right stands a table draped in white with colourful flower garlands and a bundled decorative figure. Brass kalashas and lamps sit on the ground nearby, and orange flags are visible. This appears to be a homa or yagna.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual in snowy mountain camp. A central figure with long dark hair wears a cream and gold embroidered garment and sits on a wooden seat, hands extended over a square fire pit with kindling, flowers and oranges set around it. A woman in white with a sheer white shawl kneels at left holding a brass plate of yellow flowers, and a man in dark clothes crouches beside her. Standing devotees in white and dark jackets hold tall brass lamps and ceremonial ornate red-and-gold umbrella-like parasols. A brass oil lamp stands at right beside a copper-coloured deity murti draped with red cloth and a garland. Snow and wooden cabins are visible behind.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual at a snowy camp in Idyllwild, California. A seated man with long dark hair and a cream silk garment with gold trim sits with palms pressed together before a brick-lined homa fire pit with burning wood and offerings. A woman in white with a gold-bordered sari kneels at his left beside a plate of flowers and a bowl. Behind them, standing attendants in white and red robes and a man in a brown jacket hold ornate red and gold umbrellas, and a tall brass oil lamp stands nearby. A small decorated deity murti on a red cloth is garlanded with multicoloured flowers at right. Several people in blue and grey hooded jackets watch from the background. The man seated is an appearance-based a person candidate with long swept-back hair and a cream garment; he is performing the homa and is in the centre of the ritual.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual among pine trees. A long-haired man in a cream and gold-bordered white dhoti sits on a low seat with his palms pressed together, eyes closed, a red bindi on his forehead. In front of him a small brick fire pit burns with offerings, a brass vessel and a bell sit nearby, and tall brass lamps stand to the side. Behind him a man in a black jacket and white dhoti holds a decorated umbrella, and a man in a red jacket with a gold-and-red shawl stands with hands folded. Other figures in white and maroon hold ceremonial umbrellas and a saffron flag, and a woman in white kneels at left with a tray. Colourful garlands hang on a table at right.2006-04-01